The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-07-06
SURVIVED THE FLAMES.
Thrilling Recital By the Mate OF ths I'll
Fated Steamer Champaign.


The propeller Lawrence, of the Northern
Michigan Line, arrived in Chicago early
yesterday morning, bringing a part Of the
surviving passengers and crew of the ILL
fated boat Champlain, the twin propeller
of the Lawrence.
1t will be remembered the Cbamplain
left this port the evening OF June IA, bound
for Northern Michigan ports, carrying q
full list of passengers and crew and loaded
with general merchandise, and that about
midnight, June 16, fire broke out in the
engine room, spreading SO rapidly and at
sDch high rste Of speed that life boats
could rot be launched or the engine room
reached to reverse the engines; that all on
hoard We re forced to either Jump into the
water or rem ain and be burned to death,
Late developments show that nearly q score
of people lost their lives in the catastrophe
either from exhaustion or drowning.
Among the passengers on the Lawrence
who arrived to-day was First Mate Ira
Bishop, of the Champlain. Mr.. Bishop had
a most desperate fight with fire and water
before he reached land in safety. 81 was
in my room," said Mr.. Bishop, "at the
time the first alarm was sounded, but not
asleep. There had been considerable noise
on deck for minute or two before the first
alarm of fire was sounded and it had
awakened me. My several years of expert
6UC6 Ou Tue ldhcS LJc ludb I'LL WAS
not right before L knew we were a-hre.
Putting on few clothes as soon SIS pos
sible, rushed out just in time to meet the
CT gineer, who had jumped into the water
tank to eXtinguish his clothing, which
was all ablaze. ca going to the engine
room the flames had gained SUCH heidwty
that no one would have dared to enter
again. By this time every one was hurry
ing forward and aft, and the most heart
-
ter. The boat was running about ten aud
half miles an hour before the wind, and
the sea was very high. 1t was impossible
to launch boat and every second was be-
coming more critical. The most vivid
mind could hardly describe that terrible
night. 1t seems like a dream as | look
back on it now.
"After rendering all the assistance possi-
bic toward launching boats, We turned our
attention to the gang-planks and tenders
The brisk wind was now tanning the
flames into our faces, and there was great
danger in remaining aboard a minute
longer. l put on a lIfe-preserver and
wrenched my cabin door off, jumping into
the lake with them.
"Then came such scenes OF horror and
suffering that even now shudder to speak
of ii. 1t was a very dark night, and we
were over a mile from shore. Pieces of
for help were seen and heard on every side.
l started for shore neck deep in the water,
and by daylight succeeded in reaching dry
land, thoroughly benumbed and exhausted
with the cold. 1t was trying time for
strong, sturdy man like myself; how any
woman could remain in those cold waters
for an hour, even, is more than can COM
prehend.
"Great credit is due to Captain Hansen,
of the schooner Racine, who succeeded in
saving many lives that would have been
lost but for his timely assistance and that
of his gallant crew. L have often heard of
the great humanity of people on shore In
such cases, bus the kindness of those who
came from CharlevoiX that morning was
of nature to make a strong mau weep.
Every possible kindness and assistance
was shown us, and will never forget it,"
Word was received here yesterday that
TIL two bodies found in the lake yesterday
near Charlevoix. Mimi, have been identl-
fed ss those OF Mrs. Michael Keough, of
Chicago, and the remaining daughter of
Steward LeBoe. Mr. LeBoe lost his entire
family by the catastrophe-a wife and two
daughters, Ella and Agnes. Mr.. keough,
who Is a resident OF this city and dong
business on Halsted street, is now st Char
levoix, where his wites body was found in
the water six miles from the shore.
DE- HITCHcocK was the John Wyoliffe of
the Congregational Church. DR.. Hopkios
was the Thomas Arnold of America. OF
these two characters, Mark Hopkins was
the more familiar to the country. His
name was identified with Williams College,
without interruption, during hfty-slx years
of continuous service, while Or. Hitchcock
was professor of church history in the
Union Theological Seminary since 1855.
Congregationalism has lost its Nestor in